'16 OH OT Tommy Kraemer (Notre Dame Signed NLI)

[T Town Tommy]

Woooo. Good start to the day.

Will play on Sunday in the future. Great way to get the day going Irish nation.

 

[Irish#1]

Take that Urbie.

 

[rtrn2glory]

I hate that I have to work today =(

 

[ulukinatme]

Dude was solid from the start, never wavered, awesome. Welcome officially to the family, Tommy! Dance, dance, dance.

 

[china423]

Tommy made the list.

Tommy made the list.

Meet Chazz Surratt and the 2016 Parade All-America Football Team

 

[IrishFanJMercy]

Anybody think he could start as a True Freshman?

 

[IrishLion]

Anybody think he could start as a True Freshman?

No, but he could battle his way to being the 6th man.

 

[BeauBenken]

Anybody think he could start as a True Freshman?

Considering he's a tackle through and through, he would have to pass up Alex Bars and who ever else is competing for the LT spot (because we know McGlinchey has RT locked up). In which case, no, I do not see him possibly starting as a freshman even though he has that kind of ability.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Considering he's a tackle through and through, he would have to pass up Alex Bars and who ever else is competing for the LT spot (because we know McGlinchey has RT locked up). In which case, no, I do not see him possibly starting as a freshman even though he has that kind of ability.

I thought people are projecting him to guard?

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[TheTurningPoint]

Considering he's a tackle through and through, he would have to pass up Alex Bars and who ever else is competing for the LT spot (because we know McGlinchey has RT locked up). In which case, no, I do not see him possibly starting as a freshman even though he has that kind of ability.

I would bet McGlinchey will be LT and Bars/open competition for RT. I would suspect that RG will be a battle, so Kraemer could get into the two-deep at LG/RG if he comes in playing shape, which is a tall task for a freshman OL.

 

[BeauBenken]

I thought people are projecting him to guard?

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Are you thinking of Parker? Tommy is arguably the best tackle prospect in the nation.

Not saying he can't play guard. He's good enough that he could, but his best long term position is tackle.

I would bet McGlinchey will be LT and Bars/open competition for RT. I would suspect that RG will be a battle, so Kraemer could get into the two-deep at LG/RG if he comes in playing shape, which is a tall task for a freshman OL.

Even if we go with Malik you think McGlinchey would switch over?

Staff seems to think Tommy has a more prepared body than most kids coming and could contribute early if need be.

 

[Old Man Mike]

With the quality of current OLine, I'd be stunned if Coaches Kelly and Harry put Big Tommy in risk of the universally-decried loss-of-year-eligibility for freshman OLinemen. VERY rare instances exist for top programs inserting frosh OLinemen rather than giving them their growing-into-college-shape year [plus technique training --- just knocking guys down in high school doesn't translate consistently vs. ND-quality opponent DTackles etc.] If Q wasn't inserted when we were having interior line issues two seasons ago, how likely is it now?

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I would bet McGlinchey will be LT and Bars/open competition for RT. I would suspect that RG will be a battle, so Kraemer could get into the two-deep at LG/RG if he comes in playing shape, which is a tall task for a freshman OL.

I have been saying this. This is what ND has done under Kelly. But for some reason people keep wanting to put the kid with little game experience to jump in at left tackle!

 

[Domina Nostra]

I would bet McGlinchey will be LT and Bars/open competition for RT. I would suspect that RG will be a battle, so Kraemer could get into the two-deep at LG/RG if he comes in playing shape, which is a tall task for a freshman OL.

Guys like Biven, McGovern, and Montelus get treated like after thoughts!

 

[ulukinatme]

Yes, lets quit thrusting freshmen into action at the OL, we're way past that now. We should have enough depth to allow our guys to adjust to the college game and bulk up for a year at least. OL is one of the worst places to start a freshman.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I would bet McGlinchey will be LT and Bars/open competition for RT. I would suspect that RG will be a battle, so Kraemer could get into the two-deep at LG/RG if he comes in playing shape, which is a tall task for a freshman OL.

So it's confirmed Elmer is hanging up his cleats?


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[NDinL.A.]

So it's confirmed Elmer is hanging up his cleats?


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No, a battle as in Elmer will have to fight to keep his job. Nothing has been confirmed yet.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

Yes, lets quit thrusting freshmen into action at the OL, we're way past that now. We should have enough depth to allow our guys to adjust to the college game and bulk up for a year at least. OL is one of the worst places to start a freshman.

If you consider what the depth chart could look like for the OL next year, it's not reach to say Kraemer could end up in the two-deep. There isn't exactly a set in stone backup for LG or RG.

It's not outrageous to think Kraemer could work his way into the two deep at LG or RG if Elmer isn't at Notre Dame.

I never said a word about Kraemer starting as a freshman. I stated he could find himself in the two-deep if he came in physically ready to play.

 

[Old Man Mike]

If Big Steve left the team, then let's imagine a starting OLine of Bars/ Nelson/ Hoge/ Mustipher/ McGlinchey {for this discussion point it matters not who's on what side of the line.} Then it's likely that Bivin and McGovern are "next men in."

Because of the way that OLines are formed/practiced, many if not most top units play "iron fives" all game until garbage time or injury {see the Pros}. Then, if injury strikes, there are top back-ups who enter: ONE tackle, ONE guard, ONE center. Many teams think in terms of having 7-8 members of the OLine who are really likely to play meaningful minutes.

On our 2016 team, the seven guys mentioned above will almost certainly be seven of those eight, and we have seen ND teams not long ago which went with just seven. If Elmer is still here, we have the eight. If he is not, we are looking.

There are other guys on this team who might fill out the numbers, whether Big Tommy is {sort of} ready to play some or not. Ruhland, Byrne, Montelus. Adding to that, McGovern can play at least both guard and tackle, and Bivin can play at least both tackle and center. Mustipher and Hoge are interchangeable. So are Nelson and Bars as to position competency. The point there is that our top seven are unusually flexible.

Given that, I'd think that an old school OLine coach would redshirt even a super-freshman, and fill in his second unit with guys that he didn't believe were as talented, but didn't expect to have to play in the important situations anyway. So, I'd bet on something like this if we don't have Big Steve:

Bars/ Nelson/ Hoge/ Mustipher/ McGlinchey
Bivin-Ruhland/ Montelus/ Bivin/ McGovern/ McGovern-Byrne ... and redshirt the supermen-to-be.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

If Big Steve left the team, then let's imagine a starting OLine of Bars/ Nelson/ Hoge/ Mustipher/ McGlinchey {for this discussion point it matters not who's on what side of the line.} Then it's likely that Bivin and McGovern are "next men in."

Because of the way that OLines are formed/practiced, many if not most top units play "iron fives" all game until garbage time or injury {see the Pros}. Then, if injury strikes, there are top back-ups who enter: ONE tackle, ONE guard, ONE center. Many teams think in terms of having 7-8 members of the OLine who are really likely to play meaningful minutes.

On our 2016 team, the seven guys mentioned above will almost certainly be seven of those eight, and we have seen ND teams not long ago which went with just seven. If Elmer is still here, we have the eight. If he is not, we are looking.

There are other guys on this team who might fill out the numbers, whether Big Tommy is {sort of} ready to play some or not. Ruhland, Byrne, Montelus. Adding to that, McGovern can play at least both guard and tackle, and Bivin can play at least both tackle and center. Mustipher and Hoge are interchangeable. So are Nelson and Bars as to position competency. The point there is that our top seven are unusually flexible.

Given that, I'd think that an old school OLine coach would redshirt even a super-freshman, and fill in his second unit with guys that he didn't believe were as talented, but didn't expect to have to play in the important situations anyway. So, I'd bet on something like this if we don't have Big Steve:

Bars/ Nelson/ Hoge/ Mustipher/ McGlinchey
Bivin-Ruhland/ Montelus/ Bivin/ McGovern/ McGovern-Byrne ... and redshirt the supermen-to-be.

Not being overly critical, but if Trevor Ruhland is ever taking snaps at LT (first team or third team), Notre Dame is in trouble.

 

[BeauBenken]

Not being overly critical, but if Trevor Ruhland is ever taking snaps at LT (first team or third team), Notre Dame is in trouble.

Ruhland is definitely a guard anyways, no?

 

[BobbyMac]

Ruhland is definitely a guard anyways, no?

Yes. He misread the post. It was not inferred that Ruhland could play LT or RT for that matter. Ruhland, Byrne and Montelus were mentioned as guys who could "fill out the numbers". It didn't designate where so you have to assume it's guard, not tackle.

 

[Irishman77]

Heard Ruhland was around 6'1 . So like Byrne great depth guy inside

 

[Old Man Mike]

To NDCrusader: Thank you. People here will pick at anything. Makes you not want to bother to even make conversation.

 

[BobbyMac]

Heard Ruhland was around 6'1 . So like Byrne great depth guy inside

You'd have a hard time believing they'd offer a 6-1 OL prospect. But if you look at the photos below, you'd have an equally tough time calling him 6-3. I've never seen Ruhland up close. I was shocked to see how short John Montelus was. I'd peg him at 6-2.5 in shoes. Ruhland doesn't appear any taller from photos I've seen.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Wait, I'm lost. What are the rumors surrounding Elmer? There's a chance that he's quitting football?

 

[BobbyMac]

Wait, I'm lost. What are the rumors surrounding Elmer? There's a chance that he's quitting football?

Yes. To graduate and get a job.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Yes. To graduate and get a job.

Going yuppie. It'll catch on.

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[BobbyMac]

Going yuppie. It'll catch on.

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I'll believe it when I see it.

He's gonna be a decent draft pick. Even if he just puts in a few years, it's conservatively a million $$$ after taxes into his 40 year kickstarter account to fund his 40 year career.

If he does walk away, you have to be open to the possibility that he may be dealing with some significant aches and pains or maybe he's gotten his bell rung once or twice? It's cool to walk away if there are those concerns especially when ND has prepared its players for a great life off the field.

There is no doubt he'll be fine. I sat next to his family one night in the resort lounge during the Fiesta Bowl and they are a fantastic group of people. His uncle and I had some shared experiences in our careers and we spent a while shooting the sh!t. Fun night for sure.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

I'll believe it when I see it.

He's gonna be a decent draft pick. Even if he just puts in a few years, it's conservatively a million $$$ after taxes into his 40 year kickstarter account to fund his 40 year career.

If he does walk away, you have to be open to the possibility that he may be dealing with some significant aches and pains or maybe he's gotten his bell rung once or twice? It's cool to walk away if there are those concerns especially when ND has prepared its players for a great life off the field.

There is no doubt he'll be fine. I sat next to his family one night in the resort lounge during the Fiesta Bowl and they are a fantastic group of people. His uncle and I had some shared experiences in our careers and we spent a while shooting the sh!t. Fun night for sure.

Or a job offer that comes around once every four years.